DISCIPLINE in keeping a healthy and active lifestyle is a must for every athlete.
Davao City-born athletes and those who started their sterling careers here shared to SunStar their fitness regimen and healthy diet programs.
PBA Meralco Bolts pointguard Baser Amer, part of the Gilas Pilipinas SEA Games 2015 gold medal team, said: "I always make sure that even on or off season, I stay active, sweat a little, that's better than none. I sometimes bike around the village, run on the treadmill, do circuit workouts."
Amer said he eats a balanced diet. "Listen to your body. It's a trial and error of what works for you best."
Reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas said, "Hilig ko og gulay, mga talbos sa kamote, tubig botong gainum ko pirmi. Boxing workout ko taga adlaw (I love eating vegetables, camote tops and often drink fresh buko juice. I do boxing workout everyday)."
SEA Games 2015 wakeboarding double bronze medalist Maiquel Jawn "Mikee" Selga said she eats "normal" or just like any regular student so she can have energy to do things she needs to do.
"For snacks, I eat vegetables and fruits. I also do crossfit training for more strength," Selga said.
Five-foot-10 Philippine Superliga 2017 best opposite spiker Mary Grace "Shang" Necessario Berte of Foton Tornadoes, who hails from R. Castillo Street, said she usually prepares her own food.
Berte shared, "I prefer pasta and bread for carbs, lots of veggies while meat like chicken and sometimes red meat. To keep my body properly hydrated, I drink lots of water, fruit juices and I love fruit shakes. I also drink milk every night before I go to bed."
De La Salle University football varsity player Darius Joseph "Jed" Diamante said he does not set restriction on what to eat.
He only makes sure to eat a variety of food in moderation and drink enough water daily to keeo him hydrated.
"I distance myself from drinks with too much sugar such as softdrinks and powdered juices. Before and after games, I pack myself with Pocari Sweat to make sure I maintain the right electrolyte balance," Diamante said.
His team trains six days a week and sessions include drills for cardiovascular endurance, muscle power and strength and flexibility.
Diamante added, "After training, I do a little core workout to make sure I maintain high body stability during games."
For consistent UAAP chess gold medalist Rowelyn Joy Acedo, also of DLSU, she eats food with "medium scale of carbohydrates" and drink water or Vita Plus. She also jogs and walks before and during UAAP season.
Chess Fide master John Marvin Miciano said he sleeps not later than 10 p.m. but earlier during tournaments.
"I do skipping rope every morning. Sa pagkain po, usually fish and chicken at gulay. As much as possible, not pork and beef. I avoid softdrinks at chips," Miciano said.
Who they have become and what they all have achieved in their respective fields start with self-discipline. They have established their own fitness habits not only required of their sports but also what worked for them best.
Amer cited a good point. Listening to one's body is the best way to start and determine the proper diet and fitness routine that suits you. After all, what worked for them may not work for you.
Consult your doctors though when planning to be serious about dieting or working out to avoid health complications.